Multi-purpose wheeled football training apparatus



June 20, 1967 c. P. FORREST 3,326,553

MULTI-PURPOSE WHEELED FOOTBALL TRAINTNG APPARATUS Filed Jan. 14, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CHARLES P. FORREST Gil mm, Maw,

ATTORNEYS June 20, 1967 c. P. FORREST 3,326,553

MULTI-PURPOSE WHEELED FOOTBALL TRAINING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 14, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 manna INVENTOR CHARLES 'P. FORREST ATTORNEY-5' June 20, 1967 c. P. FORREST MULTI-PURPOSE WHEELED FOOTBALL TRAINING APPARATUS File d Jan. 14, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m m M ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,326,553 MULTI-PURPOSE WHEELED FOOTBALL TRAINING APPARATUS Charles P. Forrest, Box 426, 253 Blue Island Ave., Fairhope, Ala. 36532 Filed Jan. 14, 1965, Ser. No. 425,466 Claims. (Cl. 273-55) The present invention relates to training apparatus and more particularly to a multi-purpose wheeled training cart.

In body contact sports such as, for example, football, many devices have heretofore been employed for training and conditioning athletes. Such devices generally comprise sled-Iike structures having padded uprights against which the athletes engage their arms and shoulders in an attempt to move the sled with a pushing motion. These devices generally rely on their frictional engagement with the supporting surface or on a controlled resistance to resist the pushing action of the athlete.

In the former case, these devices are limited to use exclusively out-of-doors, while in the latter case, these devices are provided with braked wheels so that they are not restricted to the exclusive use out-of-doors. However, in both cases, these training devices suffer from the disadvantage that they do not realistically simulate the actual body contact which occurs under playing conditions and, thus, do not provide an effective means of improving the coordination and timing of the athletes. These devices have no maneuverability and are designed primarily to build up the leg muscles of the athlete. In addition, the blocking pads used with known training devices are generally mounted on rigid posts so that they are totally inadequate to develop the proper balance and coordination in athletes or to simulate moves of an opposing player such as which might be experienced in cross-blocking and mouse-trapping. Furthermore, where the blocking pads are mounted on rigid posts, it is not practical for an athlete to charge it from any distance.

These and other disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which provides an operator controlled wheeled training cart having yieldable blocking pads and means to control the braking force on the wheels so as to simulate actual moves of an opposing player which might be experienced during playing conditions. Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel multi-purpose wheeled training cart to develop timing and coordination in athletes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel multi-purpose wheeled training cart which simulates the moves of an opponent experienced under playing conditions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel multipurpose wheel trainer cart capable of use for a number of different types of training programs.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of the present invention wherein there is provided a training cart mounted on wheels, one of which is mounted on a swivel to allow for sideward movements of the cart, as well as a backward movement, so as to simulate evasive movements of an opponent. The training cart includes a dual braking system by which the rear wheels of the cart may be braked under the control of the operator either simultaneously, or individually, and, to further simulate the sensation of blocking, the blocking pads are contoured and mounted to flexible, yieldable springs.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of the present invention, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings Patented June 20, 1967 in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wheel training cart of the present invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are top and side elevational structural views, respectively, of the training cart shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are front and rear elevation-a1 structural views of the training cart of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is an underside view of the training cart.

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 represents generally the training apparatus of the present invention having a frame 11, rear wheels 12 and 13 and front wheel 14. Wheels 12 and 13 are mounted on an axle 15 which is journaled in bearings at opposite sides of the frame 11 and extends transversely thereof as more clearly shown in FIGS. 3-6. Wheel 14 is mounted to a swivel 16 to facilitate sideward movement of the cart 10, as well as backward movement, upon the application of a force by an athlete undergoing a training program at the front end of the cart.

For supporting the coach or trainer who is to operate the braking controls and direct the training program for the atlflete, there is provided a platform 17. Advantageously, seat 18 is supported to the platform by a plurality of upstanding members 19. A foot pedal 20 is disposed at the forward end of the cart 10 and is connected to a hydraulic braking system for simultaneously braking both of the rear wheels 12 and 13 under the control of the operator. A pair of individual hand brake controls 21 and 22 are carried on column 23 and individually connected to the rear wheels for individually braking the wheels 12 and 13, respectively. In this manner, the operator can control the braking pressure on either or both of the wheels so as to give to the trainee the sensation that his opponent is side-stepping, backing up or utilizing other evasive movements. Thus, the operator can vary the training program for each athlete according to his individual needs.

Contact with the training cart is made against a pair of vertical, contoured blocking pads 24 and 25 which are yieldably supported to flexible leaf springs 26 and 27, respectively, to resist any pushing force applied thereto. As is well known, the offensive players in a football contest, by virtue of being able to move upon the called signal, initiate the body contact, especially in the line position, and therefore obtain a slight jump on the defense. By yieldably mounting the pads to the flexible springs, the reaction time of a defensive man before he responds to .the movement of the offense is closely simulated, since the full resistive force of the springs is not applied until after initial contact by the trainee is made. Thus, by virtue of the dual braknig arrangement, the maneuverability of the cart and mounting of the blocking pads there is provided a unique training cart which is capable of simulating movements and reactions of defensive players which enables athletes to undergo a realistic training program which may be varied according to the needs of an individual.

Referring to FIGS. 25, frame 11 comprises a substantially rectangular base having side members 30 and 31 connected at the rear by cross piece 32 and at the front by cross piece 33. Frame 11 is advantageously fabricated of metal and may be constructed from piping, angles or the like and each of the individual members are conveniently secured in .a well known manner by welding. In addition, the frame may be covered with a formed body; however, such covering merely improves the appearance of the cart and will not be described herein.

For supporting the coach -or trainer who is to direct the training program, a horizontal platform 17 of sheet material is aflixed to the base. Upstanding members 19 are secured at one end to platform 17 and support at their 3 other ends the seat 18. The seat 18 is centrally disposed on the cart such that the operating controls at the front of the cart are within comfortable reach of the trainer when in .a seated position.

The blocking pads 24 and 25, which are utilized during training to represent an opponent, are mounted ahead of the cart. Each blocking pad comprises a padded section 34 secured to a contoured plate 35. Each plate is in turn bolted to its corresponding leaf spring 26 or 27, as the case may be, as at 28 and 29.

As best shown in FIG. 3, leaf spring 27 is secured at its lower end to a. downwardly extending support 36 by a stationary spring hanger 37 afiixed to the end thereof by pin 38. The upper end of leaf spring 27 is secured to the inwardly extending support 39 by means of floating spring hanger 40. Spring hanger 40 comprises pin 41 to which the end of the spring is rigidly secured and a pair of connecting links 42 and 43 adapted to swing about pin 44 on support 39. Blocking pad 24 is similarly supported to the frame 11 by plate 35 attached to spring 26 which is in turn yieldably supported to supports 46 and 47 by stationary spring hanger 48 and floating spring hanger 49, identical to hangers 39 and 40, respectively.

Additional strength to the framework is provided by cross braces 50 and 51 and vertical braces 52 and 53. Brace 50 extends inwardly from a point intermediate the ends of support 47 to the platform 17. Brace 51 similarly extends from a point intermediate the ends of support 39 to platform 17. Vertical braces 52 and 53 are attached between the ends of supports 46 and 47 and 36 and 39, also intermediate their ends. To protect overzealous trainees from injury, a curved shield plate 54 is mounted across the front of the cart ahead of the cross pieces and to the rear of the forwardly extending blocking pads.

As. hereinbefore described, the cart is maneuverably supported by surface engaging rear wheels 12 and 13 and a forward swivel mounted wheel 14. Each of the rear wheels 12 and 13 include a conventional brake and the cart is provided with a dual braking system so that the braking of the rear wheels may be simultaneously or individually regulated under the control of the operator.

One of the braking systems is hydraulic and is adapted to be energized by the depression of the foot pedal 20 connected to the hydraulic brake box 60 supported to platform 17. A fluid line 61 establishes communication between the brake box 60 and the rear wheel brakes.

The other of the braking systems is mechanical and is adapted to individually control the braking force on each of the rear wheels 12 and 13. To this end, vertical column 23 is disposed at the forward end of the frame and supports a cross bar or handle bar 64 which carries the hand brake controls 21 and 22. Hand brake 21 is connected to the brake on wheel 12 through cable 65 which is adapted to ride over pulley 66 on the handle bar and pulley 67 secured .to the platform 17. Hand brake control 22 is similarly connected to wheel 13 by cable 69 which rides over pulleys 70 on the right-hand section of the handle bar and pulleys 71 on the right-hand section of the platform 17.

It will thus be seen that when one or more athletes engages the blocking pads 24 and 25 in an attempt to push the training cart, the coach or trainer who is riding the cart can control the resistance to the pushing action through energization of the hydraulic braking means by depression of foot pedal 20 or by energization of the mechanical braking means by depression of either or both of the hand brake controls. By controlling the resistance to rotation of the wheels, the training cart can be adapted to swing to the left or right, by virtue of the swivel connected front wheel so that the cart can be made to simulate evasive tactics of an opponent which might be experienced in an actual football contest. 7

Although only one particular embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made, and it is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications which fall within the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A football training cart comprising a frame supported on at least three surface engaging wheels, at least one of said wheels being mounted to a swivel, a dual braking system comprising first braking means for simultaneously controlling the braking of at least two of said wheels and second braking means for individually controlling the braking of said at least two of said wheels and a pair of blocking pads yieldably supported to said frame and adapted to be engaged by an athlete undergoing a training program.

2. A football training cart as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first braking means includes a hydraulic braking system for regulating the braking force applied to said at least two of said wheels simultaneously under the control of an operator.

3. A football training cart as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second braking means includes a mechanical braking system for regulating the braking force applied to each of said at least two of said wheels individually under the control of an operator.

4. A football training cart as set forth in claim 1 wherein said blocking pads are individually supported to a flexible leaf spring so as to resist the pushing force exerted by said athlete on said blocking pads.

5. A football training cart comprising a frame supported at its rear end on a pair of surface engaging wheels and at its front end by at least one surface engaging wheel, said front wheel being mounted to a swivel, an axle connecting said rear wheels, hydraulic braking means connected to said rear wheels, means for actuating said hydraulic braking means to control the braking force applied to each of said rear wheels simultaneously, mechanical braking means connected to said rear wheels for controlling the braking force applied to each of said wheels individually and a pair of blocking pads yieldably supported to said frame at the front end thereof'for engagement by an athlete undergoing a training program.

6. A football training cart comprising a frame supported at its rear end on a first and second surface engaging wheel and at its front end on a single centrally disposed surface engaging wheel, said front wheel being mounted to a swivel, an axleconnecting said first and second surface engaging wheels, hydraulic braking means connected to said first and second wheels for controlling the braking force applied to each of said wheels simultaneously, means for actuating said hydraulic braking means under the control of an operator, mechanical braking means for controlling the braking force applied to each of said first and second wheels individually under the control of an operator, a first and a second leaf spring mounted to said frame individually supporting blocking pads at the front of said frame, said blocking pads adapted to be engaged by an athlete undergoing a training program and means connected to said frame for supporting an operator to control said training program.

7. A football training cart as set forth in claim 6 wherein said leaf springs are yieldably supported to said frame and adapted to be flexed when said blocking pads are engaged by said athlete to resist the pushing force of said athlete applied to said blocking pads.

8. A football training cart as set forth in claim 7 wherein said leaf springs are fixedly secured at one end to said frame and linked to said frame at its other end with a floating connection whereby said blocking pads are supported for limited movement in response to the application of said pushing force.

9. A football training cart comprising a frame supported at its rear end on a first and a second surface engaging wheel and at its front end on a single centrally disposed surface engaging wheel, said front wheel being mounted to a swivel, an axle connecting said first and sec- 0nd surface engaging wheels, a platform supported on said frame adapted to support an operator, hydraulic braking means connected to said first and second wheels for controlling the braking force applied to each of said wheels simultaneously, a foot pedal on said platform connected to said hydraulic means and adapted to be actuated by the operator for controlling the braking force applied to each of said rear wheels, a first and a second mechanical brake means connected to said first and second surface engaging wheels, respectively, adapted to be actuated by the operator for controlling the braking force applied to each of said first and second wheels individually and a first and a second leaf spring mounted to said frame individually supporting blocking pads at the front end of said frame, said blocking pads adapted to be engaged by an athlete undergoing a training program.

10. A football training cart as set forth in claim 9 further including a vertical stand at the forward end of said training cart supported to said frame and including a handle bar supported to said column, a first and second hand operated control arm mounted on said handle bar and adapted to be actuated by said operator to selectively control the individual braking force applied to said wheels of said first and second mechanical braking means, respectively, and means connecting said hand control arms to the corresponding braking means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,062,548 11/1962 Foster et al 27355 OTHER REFERENCES Gilman Gear, p. 21, 1960, Gilman, Marty Gilman Inc.,

Connecticut.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. R. J. APLEY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A FOOTBALL TRAINING CART COMPRISING A FRAME SUPPORTED ON AT LEAST THREE SURFACE ENGAGING WHEELS, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID WHEELS BEING MOUNTED TO A SWIVEL, A DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM COMPRISING FIRST BRAKING MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY CONTROLLING THE BRAKING OF AT LEAST TWO OF SAID WHEELS AND SECOND BRAKING MEANS FOR INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLING THE BRAKING OF SAID AT LEAST TWO OF SAID WHEELS AND 